Heart Disease

There are many conditions that are all classified as heart disease.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a build up of plaque on the inside of your artery walls. Plaque is a sticky substance made from cholesterol and waste products found in the blood stream. These plaques narrow your blood vessels making it harder for blood to flow through your body.

Angina

Angina, or chest pain, occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood causing a squeezing or burning pain. Angina is a warning sign from your heart, if you experience chest pain see a doctor immediately.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. Over time a sticky substance made from cholesterol, called plaque, builds up on the walls of your arteries. When this plaque builds up in the arteries supplying your heart it can lead to chest pain and heart attack.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

A myocardial infarction, better known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood flow to your heart is blocked. The heart can continue to beat during a heart attack. Some heart attacks lead to cardiac arrest where the heart suddenly stops beating.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart has sustained damage due to disease or heart attacks. This causes the heart to become weak and unable to pump blood around the body. This inability to pump blood can lead to a build up of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body. Heart failure is a serious chronic condition without a cure, however lifestyle changes can help people with CHF live a healthier happier life.

Arrhythmias

A normal heart rate is between 60-80 beats per minute, and everyone has their own usual rhythm. An arrhythmia is when your heart either beats too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or in an uncoordinated manner (fibrillation). Arrhythmias have many different causes and varying symptoms including dizziness, fainting, or feeling short of breath.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation refers to the irregular contraction of the top chambers (atria) of your heart, and is the most common type of arrhythmia. People with atrial fibrillation may experience heart palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath, while others will have no symptoms at all.